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How to Do Sheetrock
A how to guide to doing sheetrock. Finish off the walls in your baby's nursery yourself using tape, taping compound and determination.
It was a very hot, humid summer as I entered my ninth month of pregnancy. I was uncomfortable, sticky and very large. But, that was not what I fretted about the most. The due date for my baby to be born was fast approaching and the spare room, alias nursery was no where near ready for my son's arrival.
Since the middle of my second trimester I had been nagging my husband on a regular basis to "get moving", but to no avail. It was almost as if he seemed to think that the baby would wait until we were all prepared and ready. Now, anyone out there who has given birth knows that that is not the case. Finally, in one panic stricken moment I through up my hands and decided that I was not waiting any longer.
I got the five gallon pail of taping compound (or mud as I learned it is amiably called in the trade), a putty knife and tape and set off into the spare room (nursery). I took a long look around at the four walls of unfinished sheetrock, took a deep breath, pried off the cover to the taping compound and got started.
Step 1. With the putty knife mix the mud around on a flat surface to smooth out any air bubbles.
Step 2. With a dab of mud on the putty knife, fill in any screw or nail holes. Then use the edge of the knife to make as smooth as possible.
Step 3. Find the seams on the walls - where two pieces of sheetrock meet. Starting at the top of the wall smooth a line of mud straight down to the bottom covering the entire seam. (You may need to add more mud to the knife once or twice).
Step 4. Take the end of your tape, center it along the seam and gently press it against the mud covering the seam. Once again start at the top and let the tape fall to the bottom. Try to avoid any air bubbles or creases in the tape as these will show up later.
Step 5. Once your tape is in place and covering the entire seam add another coat of mud over the tape. Throughout this entire process try to keep things as smooth as possible.
Step 6. Once your mud is dry it is time to finish off the wall. A fine grit sandpaper works well but since I was pregnant I opted for a damp sponge to avoid the dust. Using either sandpaper or a damp sponge lightly rub the areas where you taped until there is no evidence of any screw holes or seams. Feel your hand along the wall to ensure that it is completely smooth. (Even the most minute imperfections will show up after the wall is finished and painted.) You may have to go back and correct or fill in any problem areas but that's all right - taping compound is great stuff AND it is water soluble.
Step 7. Once the walls are clean and dry they are ready to prime, paint, wallpaper - decorate any way you see fit.
Step 8 (perhaps the most important step). Show off your work. Make sure people know that you did it, especially if you're pregnant. Take pictures and show it to your child years from now. Have fun and take pride in your work and what you did for you child!!!
A guide of teaching you how to do sheetrock.
Keywords
Sheetrock
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